Data from: Seed germination strategies reveal naturalization potential: Global insights from European herbaceous species
Data files
Dec 11, 2025 version files 1.60 MB
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Gioria_et_al_JEcol_211125_f.xlsx
1.59 MB
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README.md
4.30 KB
Abstract
This dataset includes primary seed germination records for 1,146 herbaceous species native to temperate Europe, derived from 18,596 laboratory tests. For each seed lot, the dataset reports the number of seeds tested, the number of germinated seeds, and the conditions under which each test was conducted: temperature, alternating temperature, cold and warm stratification, light, and seed scarification. For each species, the dataset also provides biogeographic information on global naturalization occurrence and extent, and on the number of regions where naturalization has been reported in each of three macroclimatic zones: temperate, tropical dry, and tropical humid regions. Information on seed origin, seed lot identifier, contributor, and country of collection, and the country where each test was carried out, is also provided. The dataset allowed us to test whether seed germination traits, in terms of their responses to different germination cues, are related to the naturalization success of native European temperate herbs outside their native range. Using these data, we found that naturalized species show higher germinability, germinate at lower temperatures, and respond strongly to seed scarification compared to species that have not become naturalized outside their native range, and that these traits are also positively related to the geographic extent of naturalization.
This dataset contains primary seed germination records for 1,146 herbaceous plant species native to temperate Europe, compiled from 18,596 laboratory germination tests. For each seed lot, the dataset reports the number of seeds tested, the number of germinated seeds, and the environmental conditions applied during each test, including mean temperature, alternating vs. constant temperature regimes, light vs. darkness, and the application of cold stratification, warm stratification, or seed scarification. Seed germination data are combined with global naturalization data (naturalization occurrence and geographic extent) with the aim of evaluating whether the naturalization success of native European herbaceous species is related to their germination responses to key environmental cues, in different macroclimatic zones. Using this dataset, we found that species that have become naturalized globally exhibit higher germinability, germinate at lower temperatures, and respond more strongly to seed scarification than species that have not naturalized. These traits are also positively related to the geographic extent of naturalization in temperate, tropical dry, and tropical humid regions worldwide.
Description of the data and file structure
The dataset is provided as an Excel file .xlsx in which each row corresponds to a single germination test for a given species and seed lot. The file Gioria_et_al_JEcol_211125_f.xlsx includes three categories of information:
1. Germination test data
Variables describe the experimental conditions under which each laboratory test was performed:
- number of seeds tested
- number of germinated seeds
- mean temperature (degrees Celsius)
- alternating temperature regime (yes/no)
- light conditions (light/darkness)
- cold stratification (yes/no)
- warm stratification (yes/no)
- seed scarification (yes/no)
These variables allow to quantify species' responses to temperature and dormancy-breaking treatments.
2. Seed lot metadata
These variables describe the origin of each seed lot:
- unique seedlot identifier (GUID)
- contributor to SeedArc
- country of seed collection
- country where the germination test was conducted
This information ensures full traceability and reproducibility of seed origins and conditions.
3. Global naturalization data
Species are linked to naturalization metrics derived from global databases, including:
- naturalization occurrence (presence/absence worldwideglobally)
- naturalization extent (number of regions where the species is naturalized)
4. Naturalization data by macroclimatic zone of naturalization
- number of naturalized regions in each of three macroclimatic zones:
- temperate regions
- tropical dry regions
- tropical humid regions
These data (points 3 and 4) allow users to test relationships among germination traits, global naturalization success, and macroclimatic conditions.
File structure and usage
Dataset: Gioria_et_al_JEcol_211125_f.xlsx
- The dataset includes one Excel file containing the data and the associated metadata
- Binary variables are coded as
0(no/absent) and1(yes/present) - Species names follow the standardized taxonomy used in the SeedArc database
- The dataset can be used for comparative analyses of germination traits and for evaluating how germination traits influence the successful establishment and naturalization of herbaceous species outside their native range.
Sharing / Access information
Links to other publicly accessible locations of the data
- GloNAF global naturalized alien flora database: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17105725
Data were derived from the following sources
- Fernández-Pascual, E., et al. (2023). SeedArc, a global archive of primary seed germination data. New Phytologist, 240(2), 466–470.
- Davis, A. J. S., et al. (2025). Global Naturalized Alien Flora (GloNAF). Zenodo dataset.https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17105725
- Gioria, M., et al. (in press). Seed germination strategies reveal naturalization potential: Global insights from European herbaceous species. Journal of Ecology.